Image credit: Freepik (prostooleh)
In July 2024, the animal welfare community was shaken by news of a dog who died from hanging while left unattended by her groomers for more than 30 minutes. Regrettably, this is preceded by another case in 2023 where a dog passed away under similar circumstances when the groomer stepped away for a seven-minute smoke break. The groomer was fined $8,000 and given a disqualification order of nine months.
In Singapore, there are no licensing conditions for pet grooming services at the time of this writing (July 2024). Some minimum standards are specified under the Code of Animal Welfare for the Pet Industry, although failure to comply is not considered an offence. While breaches of the code can be used to support prosecution or enforcement action, the resulting penalties may not serve as effective deterrents.
The short disqualification periods also mean that service providers may re-enter the pet industry soon after their offence, which poses a risk to animal welfare if these service providers are not adequately retrained and rehabilitated.
There is an urgent need for stronger legislation in animal welfare and the SPCA has been actively lobbying the government on multiple issues to better protect our animals, including upholding high standards of animal welfare within the pet industry.
In the current absence of stricter measures, pet owners can safeguard their pets by applying the acronym, TRUST:
Transparency
Choose a salon where the grooming stations are clearly visible through glass panels, and where the groomers welcome you to observe them at work.
It is best if you can stay with your pet for the duration of the grooming session. This allows you to observe not just what the groomers are doing, but also how your pet reacts. Otherwise, ask if the salon offers a 24/7 CCTV or webcam that you can access at any time to check on your pet.
Reputation
While licensing and certification are not yet mandatory, you can use other indicators to gauge the trustworthiness of a groomer:
- Word-of-mouth recommendations by family, friends, veterinarians, or reliable social media sources
- Information on the groomer’s website or social media page can give you an idea of their approach to pet care. If there is a lack of online presence, this could be a red flag.
- Relevant qualifications (may be specific to pet grooming or more general such as Fear Free and pet first aid certification)
- Membership or affiliation with professional organisations
Understanding Specific Needs
In your pre-appointment conversations, take note of the information that the groomer shares and the questions asked. Look out for a genuine interest in understanding your pet through the gathering of details. This indicates that the groomer is committed to meeting your pet’s needs.
Safety First
Ensure that there are safety measures in place, such as a code of conduct that requires groomers to be present when animals are tethered.
Tour the Salon
Request a tour of the salon as this allows you to directly assess the facility your pet will be in. Take note of the ratio of animals to groomers, cleanliness, ventilation, the layout of the grooming stations, sturdiness of furniture, and use of pet-friendly products, among other aspects. If you are uncomfortable with what you see, it is likely that your pet will feel the same way – a sign to look elsewhere.
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